Tag Archives: mom

Be Epic (my 200th post)

Usually I look for these large moments to propel me forward. I have large emotions, lofty thoughts to go with my tall six foot frame and strong personality.

I have been mulling over my 200th post for awhile now as I knew it was coming soon. The purpose of this blog has always been to help me stay in the moment with my boys. Motherhood can be a tad bit overwhelming at times.

Today is the day for my 200th post and I have to say that we had a giant day today, maybe even epic as some people would describe.

It is the profoundness of the little things that describe epic to me.

Fourteen stairs.
Fourteen hurdles.
Fourteen opportunities for triumph. Fourteen steps I wondered if my mom would take fourteen days ago.

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She did it!

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Be epic today.

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My mom is.

Be Walking To The Winter Garden

Yesterday, in between vomit sessions mom took two walks outside. She is one determined lady.

It was the first time she was outside in 11 days. Being inside is a rarity for our bike riding, green thumb, paddle boarding, hiking and walking mom.

Here are mom and dad heading into the winter garden. This is an outside garden between the new tower and the old part of the hospital.

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We sat outside for about twenty minutes enjoying a warm wind and even a few drops of rain on our faces.

Be Sick With Chemo

I was one of those kids that vomited a lot. We were never sure why but it would just sneak up on me in the evening and whammy vomit city

I have many ‘fond’ memories of my hair being held back, a cold cloth on my neck or my forehead and either a bucket or toilet in front of my face. Usually my dad was by my side as mom would be vomiting with me if she was in the room.

Now my mom is very sick from the double dose of chemotherapy she received on Monday. Very sick!

Today mid vomit, mom quipped, “Joanna, you are doing really well with all this!”

Sexy Neck and I had a good laugh at the two vomit-phobes weathering this together.

Mama, anything for you! Even cleaning up vomit.

For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:13)

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An empty vomit bucket – love the cardboard!

Be Rooted

My mom has had her pain and nausea under control for the last two days.

On Friday, she was moved into a private room on the women’s and children’s floor in the new hospital tower. It like a hotel compared to the hell hole she was in before. (Sorry I have racked my brain and I can’t think of another descriptor for her four person room in an incredibly busy ward.)

I am starting to move out of flight and fright status or “game face” as my sister and I call it. I feel my body relaxing. I am feeling my body again. Man I am hungry.

The exceptional nurses on this floor have everything under control. Our amazing angel Dr. Daniels has been checking on mom. Yesterday she visited three times.

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Dr. Daniels talking with mom and dad this morning.

Moms blood clot in her lung is dissolving, her bowels are moving and she even walked down the hall today.

My boys feel loved surrounded by all their cousins, aunts and uncles even though their mama is at the hospital many hours and is a tad bit distracted and teary.

God is good.

But none of this makes sense.

We continue to live in shades of grey, but I continue to reach down into the roots God has established for me in His word and with my family and friends.

” And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”

Bring on the chemo.

May we all know the fullness of God and just how wide, long, deep and high Christ’s love is.

Be Taking Notes

As I have just started my new careers as a nurse and pharmacist, I am seeing the importance of taking notes.

I feel like I am learning a new language, and a new way of understanding. Science was never my strong point, but I am working very hard to understand what the doctors and nurses are telling me. I would do anything for my mom. Luckily, I can rely on my sister’s notes.

My sister, the lawyer, models this note taking well.

You go girl!

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Be In Emergency

I am flat on my face humbled.

For a few days now I have been worried about: my mom not eating enough, the potential of her mixing up her plethora of medications and the impending diagnosis of the origin of her cancer.

Today, my mom spent the morning at the hospital because was dehydrated! It was so bad that her kidney function was being compromised.

Didn’t see that one coming!

A simple reminder that I am not in control and that I need to “let go and let God”.

Thank you to my prayer warriors who propped us up this morning. I couldn’t have gone through this without you.

One. Moment. At. A. Time.

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